26. Isla #2
He crossed his arms, with a more serious look than she’d previously seen. “I clearly upset you, Isla. And don’t pretend I didn’t.” He leaned toward her. “I don’t know if you remember, but we once used to be friends and lovers. I know you a little.”
“Tomas—”
He straightened. “I didn’t come to try to reclaim you, if that’s what you’re worried about.
Genuinely. Callum mentioned the project, and I thought, well, that’d be brilliant— seeing you again.
Working with you was always fun, too. But I have to admit, you took me by surprise, Isla.
You’re not quite the same girl I knew in London. ”
I really don’t need Tomas, of all people, psychoanalyzing me.
She started back down the sidewalk again without waiting for him to follow. He did, though, as she’d suspected he might. “How’s that?” she asked, her voice dry and humorless.
“Well, it’s that, right there. You seem a bit muted. As though you’ve lost your spark. Still comes out from time to time. Like when you had a few drinks in you at that wine festival. Or when you look at Aiden Camden.”
She studied his profile, trying to make sense of what he’d said.
Lost her spark?
“I haven’t lost any spark, thank you very much.”
“I’m not saying it as an insult, but let’s be honest, you were always a bit cheeky. Wild. Endlessly laughing and smiling. You draw everyone to you like a moth to the flame. God, I remember that disastrous trip we took to Dover. You had the whole car in stitches despite everything.”
“Maybe there’s not as much to laugh about now.” Her throat tightened despite her protests.
“Or maybe something has happened that’s taken the sparkle out of your eyes.
The Isla I knew would have been bursting at the seams if someone suggested a job like Davy did.
And considering the man in your life doesn’t seem to be related to the problem, I can’t help but ask, is there something I can do to help? ”
She flinched and looked away, letting her gaze drift over the faceless mannequins in the shop windows. The smell of coffee from cafés mixed with the grease of hot frying oil from the restaurants busy for lunch turned her stomach.
Had she really lost her spark? Or had she been pretending with her over-the-top behavior at times? It couldn’t be denied that she worked hard at La Hacienda . There was rarely any space to “step away” from her job. Even on the days off—which were rare—she never truly switched off.
And she was lonely. Her world had gotten so much smaller, with few friends and no time to make new ones. And no Callum, either. She hadn’t realized how much she relied on her big brother’s company until he was across the Atlantic, several time zones away.
But all of that would be easier, on some level, if she still had a creative outlet. She hadn’t noticed it while she’d been fixing up the inn because that took care of that need. But now?
She had no place to be and feel herself.
At last, she said softly, “It’s not one thing, Tomas. Nothing that can be fixed either.”
“Well, can I offer a listening ear?” Tomas gave her a genuine smile. “I have it on good authority you used to like me. And I’m still just as boring and uninteresting as I used to be—haven’t changed a bit, actually—so maybe you’ll find that I’m still happy to listen to anything on your mind.”
She gave him a closer look. Maybe he was right. Perhaps he was the same—and she’d changed.
Maybe, if she went back in time now, the person she was now would find him just as annoying and irritating as she had then.
But why?
Her life hadn’t been bad. She’d had so much fun with Mum and Callum when they’d renovated the inn.
Watching it all come together had been thrilling.
And then when the first guests had arrived, the rush had been incredible.
For months, she’d buzzed on that energy, loving every moment of it.
Even working with and getting to know Sergio better had been entertaining and refreshing.
So, what had happened? Where had she become dissatisfied? And why?
“I don’t know what it is, if I’m honest. If I can even find the right words to talk about it.” She sighed, then gave him a grateful smile. “But I do appreciate your offer to listen.”
“The offer stands. I’m happy to help whenever you need it, Isla. Honestly.” Tomas leaned over and set his arm around her shoulder, hugging her toward him. “And even though you don’t seem to be enjoying this show, I’ve been having fun. It’s good seeing you again.”
She smirked. “Even when I’m being dull and sparkless?”
He ruffled the top of her head. “Even then. You’re still a force to be reckoned with. Look, even the production team is dying to have you back. Between you and me, Boyd told me he thinks Antony would get behind more of these. He’s really liked what he’s seen.”
Tomas probably didn’t mean to add to her stress, and he couldn’t know how much she didn’t want to hear that.
“I don’t know if there will be too much more of this in my future. I have an obligation to the inn in Costa Rica—and to my family.”
“I know. But it’s still nice to be wanted, isn’t it? Better that than to be rejected and told never mind.”
She grimaced, Aiden’s face flashing in her mind.
He was coming, wasn’t he? This wasn’t just another way to put her off?
You have to trust.
But trust was so hard, especially when the past few weeks had been filled with so much uncertainty.
The worst part wasn’t just that he’d delayed their plans. It was that she wasn’t even sure she had the right to be upset about it.
They hadn’t defined their relationship, but that was mostly her own fault, and she couldn’t let that bother her. She’d told Aiden she didn’t need things defined. And he’d said that he wanted her. Whatever the cost.
So why did this sting so much?
Somehow Aiden had become the person she wanted to call with her news—both good and bad. The first person she told anything to.
But deep down, she was also aware that he wasn’t completely free, and maybe never would be. Even if she became his girlfriend, he’d never be the type of man she could call at any time of the day and expect him to answer her.
He was already committed to something else. A role that would take precedence . . . even to her.
“I think I’m going to pop in that boutique. See if I can’t find a good hat. It’s awfully bright today,” Isla said, heading for the first store that looked like it had women’s clothing.
Tomas seemed to sense that she was done talking and nodded, leaving some space between them. “Remember what I said. Anytime you need to talk, I’m right here.”
“Thanks,” she called over her shoulder.
He meant well. And, in some ways, it was good that he’d followed her, offering an olive branch. She felt strangely better about him now. Like they’d settled something from the past she hadn’t realized needed addressing.
On the other hand, she felt worse about other things.
“. ..it’s still nice to be wanted, isn’t it? Better that than to be rejected and told never mind.”
Her heart squeezed hard, then she pushed the echo of Tomas’s words away and headed into the shop.